François Ratier confirms five changes for France ahead of Wallaroos Test

François Ratier has made five changes to his starting XV as France look to get their first win of WXV Global Series 2026 against the Wallaroos this weekend.

Last Saturday in Lyon, France lost 28-14 to the Black Ferns. Les Bleues host Australia this week in Aix-en-Provence, before Canada visit La Rochelle to conclude September.

Three changes were enforced by players returning to the France Sevens group. Lili Dezou, Kelly Arbey and Cloé Jacquet have been replaced by Gabrielle Vernier, Anaïs Grando and Émilie Boulard come into the starting team. It is the first time that Boulard has taken part in a Test match under Ratier.

In the pack, Elisa Riffonneau is named as the starting hooker ahead of Mathilde Lazarko. Cloé Corréa comes in for Siobhan Soqeta in the second row.

François Ratier, France head coach, said: “Australia are a very solid side. In any case, all the Anglo-Saxon nations we face are physically very strong and play a very direct game. New Zealand combined those two traits, and the players certainly felt the physical toll. But Australia is even more physical.

“There are weaknesses to exploit, though. Against them, we cannot afford the two or three lapses in concentration we had on defense against New Zealand. That wasn’t down to the system itself; it was more a case of players momentarily losing focus at key moments. We’ve identified that.

“As for the power and physicality we’re about to face, it’s the same sort of challenge. We won’t be caught off guard in that regard.”

2026 WXV Global Series | France match day 23 squad v Australia

15 Emilie Boulard
14 Anaïs Grando
13 Gabrielle Vernier
12 Téani Feleu
11 Léa Murie
10 Carla Arbez
9 Pauline Bourdon Sansus (Captain)
1 Ambre Mwayembe
2 Elisa Riffonneau
3 Assia Khalfaoui
4 Julia Grosz
5 Cloé Corréa
6 Axelle Berthoumieu
7 Léa Champon
8 Charlotte Escudero

Replacements
16 Maïlys Mailagi
17 Yllana Brosseau
18 Annaëlle Deshaye
19 Siobhan Soqeta
20 Mouna Toure
21 Alexandra Chambon
22 Lina Queyroi
23 Elodie Fernandez